Cervical cancer develops in the lower part of the uterus; it can affect women of all ages, but is usually more common between the ages of 20 and 50. Cancer almost always occurs in women who do not undergo regular medical checks and do not have the Pap test on time. Thankfully, cervical cancer is treatable if it is diagnosed and treated promptly. The main symptoms you may notice are unusual vaginal bleeding and pain; however, they generally don't show up until the precancerous and abnormal cells have grown enough to become an invasive tumor. It is therefore extremely important to report any changes to the gynecologist. You should have regular screenings, such as Pap smears and tests for HPV (human papilloma virus), to recognize precancerous lesions early, before they become cancerous.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Know the Symptoms
Step 1. Make a careful note of your menstrual cycles
If you are premenopausal or perimenopausal, you should keep a calendar of when you have your period and how long it lasts. If you are in menopause, you need to remember when you last had them. The main symptom of this tumor is abnormal vaginal bleeding; therefore, it is helpful to know what is normal for you and other women like you.
- If you are premenopausal, you should have regular menstrual cycles. Every woman is different, but usually a normal cycle should last 28 days, with a margin of 7 days more or less.
- If you are in the perimenopausal stage, your periods may be irregular. This period usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50. The transition occurs when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen and can last from several months to as long as 10 years before reaching complete menopause.
- During menopause, you should no longer have your period. Hormone levels in this phase have reached a point where they no longer allow ovulation, i.e. the release of eggs, and it is no longer possible to get pregnant.
- You are no longer menstruating even if you have had a hysterectomy. The operation consists in the removal of the uterus, the uterine lining that cyclically flakes off and therefore no longer exists and consequently the vaginal bleeding. However, if the ovaries are still working, you are not in menopause.
Step 2. Watch for vaginal discharge between periods
If you suffer from this disorder (spotting), you may notice less blood and a different color than your usual period blood flow.
- It is quite normal for a premenopausal woman to have irregular periods sometimes and spotting episodes may occur. There are many factors that can interfere with your normal monthly cycle, such as illness, stress, or strenuous physical activity. See your gynecologist if your periods remain irregular for several months.
- Spotting may be a normal part of the perimenopausal stage. Be especially vigilant and pay attention to other symptoms of cervical cancer.
Step 3. Make a note of any periods that are longer or heavier than usual
Each time the blood flow can change in quantity, color and consistency; contact your gynecologist if you see that your menstruation changes significantly.
Step 4. See your doctor if you have a new period that comes on unexpectedly
Remember that it is not at all normal to have vaginal bleeding if you are in menopause or have had a hysterectomy.
- Do not assume that the cervix was removed during the removal of the uterus. The entire uterus, including the cervix, is removed when a total hysterectomy is performed. Often only the partial (or supracervical) one is performed to treat non-cancerous diseases. In this case, the cervix is not removed and cancer could develop. Ask your gynecologist about the type of surgery you have undergone.
- Considered in menopause if menstruation has completely stopped for at least 12 months.
Step 5. Watch out for vaginal bleeding after normal activities
Normal activities include sexual intercourse, vaginal douching and even pelvic examinations at the gynecologist. Talk to your doctor about the nature of the bleeding, spotting, or heavy flow.
To perform the pelvic exam, the gynecologist inserts two fingers protected by gloves into the vagina, while with the other hand he presses the lower abdomen. In this way, it examines the uterus, including the cervix and ovaries, looking for signs that may suggest problems or diseases. The visit should not cause heavy bleeding
Step 6. Make a note of any unusual vaginal discharge
These secretions can be bloody and occur between two consecutive periods. Also be careful if they are also smelly.
- The cervix produces mucus which can change in consistency during the menstrual cycle and is intended to promote or prevent pregnancy; it should not have any traces of blood between menstruation and the next.
- Sometimes menstrual blood can build up in the vagina, but if it stays there for a long time it can start to smell, especially if it takes more than 6-8 hours. This is a different situation than leaks that smell bad.
- Seek medical attention. Foul-smelling secretions can be due to other ailments, such as infections that cause pain and bleeding, precancerous lesions, or even cancer.
Step 7. Contact your gynecologist if you experience pain after intercourse or if you experience new pain that you have never had before
It may be normal to feel pain after sex. on average three out of four women sooner or later manifest it during intercourse. However, if it is frequent or very serious, you should go to a qualified doctor and explain the problem. Recognize the difference between normal menstrual cramps and pain in the pelvic region or lower abdomen.
- Menopausal and perimenopausal women may experience changes in the vaginal walls due to the drop in estrogen levels. At this stage, the walls of the vagina begin to thin, dry out, lose elasticity and become irritated more easily (vaginal atrophy). Sometimes sexual intercourse becomes painful due to these changes.
- Sex can also become more painful if you have a skin disorder or have difficulty in sexual response.
Part 2 of 2: Seeking Medical Care
Step 1. Make an appointment with your gynecologist as soon as symptoms begin to show
If you delay, the disease could progress and reduce the chances of getting adequate treatment.
- Your doctor will want to know your personal and family history, as well as a description of your symptoms. It will also ask about risk factors, for example if you have multiple sexual partners, if you started sexual activity prematurely, if you have been diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases, if you have signs of a weakened immune system, and if you smoke.
- He will likely undergo a physical exam to determine your general health. He'll also do the Pap smear and HPV test if you've never done them before. These are screening tests (which look for signs of cervical cancer) and non-diagnostic tests (which confirm the presence of the tumor).
- Diagnostic tests are performed when the Pap smear detects abnormal data and / or shows symptoms compatible with cervical cancer. The gynecologist could undergo colposcopy, which consists of inserting an optical instrument similar to a speculum - the colposcope - into the vagina, which allows you to see the cervix enlarged and better observe any abnormal parts. A scraping of the endocervix (the part closest to the uterus) and / or a conical biopsy may also be done. If microscopic examination reveals a pathological appearance of the cells, a precancerous or cancerous mutation of the cells can be diagnosed.
Step 2. Get regular screening tests for cervical cancer before you notice any symptoms
Your gynecologist can perform two tests in your office to detect any precancerous lesions: the Pap test and the HPV test.
Step 3. Get regular Pap smears
This test identifies precancerous cells that could lead to cervical cancer if they are not treated promptly and appropriately. The exam is recommended for all women aged 21 to 65. It can be performed by the gynecologist directly in his office or in a clinic.
- The doctor inserts the speculum, an instrument that allows you to enlarge the vagina, and can thus examine the entire vagina, the cervix, the cells, the mucus that has accumulated and all the surrounding tissues. He will then take a sample to put on a slide or in a test tube with liquid and send it to the laboratory to be analyzed under a microscope for anomalies.
- You need to get a Pap smear regularly even if you are not currently sexually active and are in full menopause.
- You can also perform it at family clinics or by contacting public health facilities directly, paying only the ticket. If you have private health insurance, find out if the cost of this exam is covered by the policy.
Step 4. Test for HPV
This examination allows to detect the presence of the human papilloma virus, responsible for the precancerous mutation of cervical cells. Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection, a disease that is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Cells taken during the Pap smear can also be examined for the HPV virus.
- The cervix is the cylindrical, neck-like passage located at the bottom of the uterus. During the examination with the speculum, the gynecologist sees the part of the cervix called the ectocervix. The endocervix, on the other hand, is the actual canal that leads to the uterus. The area where cells can change is the border where these two areas overlap; this is where cervical cancer most often develops and where cell and mucus samples are taken.
- Once you reach the age of 30, you should have a regular Pap smear along with an HPV test every five years.
Step 5. Ask your doctor when you should have these tests
The frequency of screening tests or the need for other checks depends on several factors, such as age, personal sex life, the results of previous Pap tests, and any previous HPV infections.
- Most women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have the test every three years; those between the ages of 30 and 64 should have a Pap smear every three years or a joint Pap test + HPV every five.
- If you have a compromised immune system, are HIV positive, or have an abnormal Pap smear, ask your gynecologist if you need to test more often.
- Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women around the world, but it is much less common in countries where preventive screening tests are performed on time, such as those in the West.
- Get early diagnosis and treatment. Precancerous cervical cells with more severe changes are more likely to turn into cancer cells themselves. This mutation from normal to abnormal cells to cancerous and invasive can take 10 years, but it can also happen more quickly.
